DUBAI: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and other Islamic countries have made special arrangements for sighting the crescent moon of Ramadan. Most Arab countries will hold a meeting on Sunday, March 10, 2024 (corresponding to 29 Shaban) to sight the moon.
According to international media, meetings will be held in Arab and Islamic countries on March 10 to sight the crescent moon of Ramadan and collect testimonies about the sighting of the moon.
International astronomy experts have said that the central conjunction will take place at 9 am on this day, so the moon is not expected to appear until after sunset in most Islamic countries on March 10. Which will not be possible to see. Therefore, the first day of fasting is unlikely to be on March 11.
Renowned astronomers Ibn Tariq, Wutheringham, Maunder, Parwin, Elias and astronomical observatories like SAAO, agree that the moon will not be visible to the naked eye or with binoculars in Arab countries on March 10, i.e. 29 Shaban.
According to astronomers, Ramadan is expected to start from Tuesday, March 12, after the completion of 30 Shaban in Islamic countries on March 11. However, the decision in this regard will be taken by the religious and government institutions of the respective countries.
It may be noted that in Pakistan, Monday, March 11 will be the 29th of Shaban and a meeting of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will be held on that day to sight the moon.
If the moon is sighted, the first day of fasting in Pakistan will be on Tuesday, March 12. While if the moon is not sighted, the first of Ramadan will be on Wednesday, March 13, after the completion of 30 Shaban.
The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will make the final announcement regarding the sighting or non-sighting of the moon.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)